Building work can't stop Chapter

May 16 2008 by Gordon Dalton, Western Mail

WHILE Cardiff-based Chapter Arts Centre’s major redevelopment – by architects Ash Sakula – is gathering pace there are still various things going on in and around the building.

Chapter and the South Wales Decorative & Fine Arts Society are working together to commission a graduate artist to create a unique piece of art for the wooden hoarding outside the building to go on display for the duration of the redevelopment.

This year’s graduates and current MA students from South Wales colleges are invited to apply for the commission to create an artwork which will transform the hoarding as a celebration of Chapter’s continued commitment to a diverse contemporary visual arts programme during the redevelopment.

Meanwhile, the screening room is showing a varied programme of artists’ films from Wednesdays to Sundays.

Currently showing is Shout Out by Stephen Sutcliffe.

Shot in a US bowling alley with El Hombre Trajeado’s soundtrack reversed and played over the alley’s internal sound system, Sutcliffe has reversed the video so the bowlers move confusingly against a backdrop of spinning, colourful lights, evoking dream-like sequences of choreographed contemporary dance.

The gallery finally closes in June to begin a major overhaul which includes new walls, lighting, floors and entrance.

Outside the gallery, Chapter is commissioning four artists to create new sites for engagement, discussion, participation and enjoyment of visual art. These will also provide potential meeting space for groups and individuals who will be displaced through the temporary closure of parts of Chapter and be made available to individuals, artists, groups, schools and other organisations.

Artists commissioned so far include Cardiff-based Cecile Johnson-Soliz, Hassan Hajjaj and Heather and Ivan Morison who also were part of Wales at the Venice Biennale. The programme starts in July.

THIS years’ Turner Prize nominations have been announced with the usual shock and awe coming from the media.

Three female artists are on the list for the first time with film and sculpture dominating the shortlist.

Mark Leckey, Cathy Wilkes, Runa Islam and Goshka Macuga are the names getting everyone in a predictable but expertly marketed flap.

There is no clear favourite, although Leckey seems to at the head of a thankfully eclectic list.

Wilkes, pictured, would be my perverse choice with her sculptural arrangements of seemingly random objects.

But there’s quite a wait until the announcement of the winner of the £25,000 award – that happens on December 1.